In this webinar, ICPC’s Marine Environmental Advisor, Lionel Carter, will present and address questions from attendees in this hour-long insightful session titled: “Cables and the Marine Environment - From Ocean to Cloud.”

Submarine fibre-optic cables underpin the digital revolution by providing a safe, cost effective means of moving vast amounts of data around the globe at the speed of light. Cables are thus of vital social and economic importance – fact long recognised by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). With that thought in mind, and given the heightened interest in environmental protection, this webinar delves into cables and their interaction with the marine environment. The nature of cables, their effect on the seabed, response to natural hazards and resilience in an increasingly busy ocean, are all covered in this well-illustrated and entertaining talk.

Subsea Cable Community Gains Voice in the United Nations

Thursday, 17 May 2018

The ICPC appoints its own UN Observer Representative and now the organisation has been awarded UN Consultative Status

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom—The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) is now in consultative status with the United Nations (UN). The grant of the status was recommended by the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) committee of the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and approved by ECOSOC at its coordination and management meeting that took place from 16-18 April 2018.

The ICPC Marks its Diamond Jubilee Plenary by Addressing Three Future Challenges for Subsea Cables

Thursday, 26 April 2018

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom—The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) celebrated its 60th anniversary Plenary meeting by highlighting the three themes it is addressing to ensure that subsea cables continue to provide reliable long-term socioeconomic benefits to global communities.

ICPC Appoints New International Law Adviser

Thursday, 01 March 2018

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom—On 1 March 2018, Mr. Kent Bressie becomes the new International Cable Law Adviser (ICLA) for the prominent organisation, International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC). Kent replaces Doug Burnett who left the role in late 2017 to accept a U.S. Government appointment.

ICPC returns to Cape Town to hold its 2018 Diamond Jubilee Plenary

Friday, 06 October 2017

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom— In October 1974, the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) held its 13th Plenary in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2018, the Plenary will return to the coastal city for its upcoming session as well as celebrate 60 years of heritage since its incorporation in 1958.

The ICPC is aware of multiple cable failures in the region of Hong Kong that are affecting the speed of Internet communications on some routes. The ICPC does not have any operational responsibility for the international submarine cable network, therefore its officers do not have any knowledge of the cause of this problem or what is being done to rectify it.

The primary purpose of the ICPC is to help its members to improve the security of their cables by providing a private forum in which relevant technical, legal and environmental information can be exchanged. In the aftermath of multiple cable failures, the ICPC will routinely consult its members after repair operations have been completed to see what lessons can be learned. Sometimes this exercise results in a Press Release from the ICPC, as happened following the Hengchun Earthquake on 26 December 2006. The Press Release on the Hengchun Earthquake can be found here[?]. Background information on submarine cables can be found here. The About Submarine Telecommunications Cables[?] presentation is particularly recommended. Frequently Asked Questions can be found here.

The Latest Insights into Submarine Cables and Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction

Friday, 30 June 2017

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom—There is much anticipation and anxiety in the air at the United Nations in New York City, USA this July. Many observers understand that a potentially very significant change in the international law regarding oceans looms ahead. The forthcoming PrepCom 4 meeting, held at the UN headquarters, will review many complex issues associated with activities on the high seas beyond national jurisdiction. Issues include both scientific and legal aspects arising under the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS)—one of the world’s most successful pieces of international legislation.

ICPC Issues a New Recommendation on Submarine Cable Operations and Deep Seabed Mining

Friday, 23 June 2017

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom—The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) has issued its much-awaited Recommendation No. 17 titled: Submarine Cable Operations in Deep Seabed Mining Concessions Designated by the International Seabed Authority. The Recommendation is now publicly available upon request via: secretary@iscpc.org.

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom—All good times eventually come to an end, and the 50th International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) Plenary session that was held in Montevideo, Uruguay, from 25-27 April 2017 was no exception.

ICPC Members from around the globe contributed to a successful annual Plenary with the theme of unmissable insights and challenges related to submarine cable planning, installation, protection, and maintenance.

The Other Side of Communication: Guardians of Global Connectivity

Monday, 24 April 2017

Ryan Wopschall (until 2016, a member of the Executive Committee of the ICPC) discusses the technology and infrastructure that is integral to present day connectivity and communication: without submarine fiber optic cables, the world would be a very different, and disconnected place. He examines the key actors and innovations that have brought the technology to where it is today, and the international regimes that have been tasked with its protection.

2017 ICPC Plenary: 25-27 April

Tuesday, 24 January 2017

ICPC's 50th Plenary was held in Montevideo, Uruguay from 25-27 April 2017 in the Radisson Montevideo Hotel. The event's theme was "Unmissable insights and challenges in submarine cable planning, installation, protection and maintenance."

Environmental impact of Basslink subsea power cable is minor and temporary

Thursday, 22 December 2016

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom—A recently published study of the 290 km-long Basslink power cable shows that its impact on the seabed and associated organisms is "transient and minor".

Basslink plays a key role in the distribution of power between the Australian states of Victoria and Tasmania. To protect this infrastructure, the cable was placed in a trench cut into the seabed. However, near Tasmania the cable was placed in an iron pipe conduit in order to safely pass over a 500 m-wide zone of rocky reef and rubble.

Submarine Cables and BBNJ: ICPC publishes white paper and presents to the United Nations

Monday, 12 September 2016

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom— Submarine Cables and marine Biological Diversity of areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) was the topic of discussion on Monday, 29 August 2016 during a well-attended side event held at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, New York. The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) presented on the organisation’s role within the ocean community and highlighted its newly published and informative white paper on the subject of submarine cables and BBNJ.

ICPC publishes white paper: "Submarine Cables and BBNJ"

Friday, 02 September 2016

Preparatory Committee established by General Assembly resolution 69/292: Development of an internationally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

ICPC Call for Papers: Abstracts due 9 January 2017

Wednesday, 31 August 2016

The ICPC announces the abstract deadline for the Call for Papers has been extended to 9 January 2017. The theme for the 2017 ICPC Plenary will be: Unmissable insights and challenges in submarine cable planning, installation, protection and maintenance.

ICPC reflects upon the start of the Global Cable Communications Revolution—150 Years Ago today

Wednesday, 27 July 2016

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom—27 July 2016 marks the 150th anniversary of the laying of the first, fully operational submarine cable to span an ocean. Linking Ireland and Newfoundland, the Atlantic cable was symbolically the start of a global communications revolution that continues today. Modern submarine fibre-optic cables—which are the direct descendants of the 1866 telegraphic cable—now account for over 95% of all trans-oceanic communications and underpin the Internet. This latest development has profoundly changed society and economies.

First Ever International Workshop on HVDC Power Cables in the Context of International Submarine Cables and Pipelines and the ABNJ

Tuesday, 03 May 2016

On 7-8 April 2016, in Ankara, Turkey, an important academic milestone was reached when High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cables in the Area Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) or high seas proper were studied by a blue ribbon team of international legal scholars, diplomats, environmental scientists, and industry experts. This study was a part of the DEHUKAM International Workshop 2016 “Legal Status of Submarine Cables, Pipelines and ABNJ”, the inaugural workshop by the Research Center of the Sea and Maritime Law of Ankara University (DEHUKAM). The workshop was held jointly by the Center for Oceans Law and Policy (COLP) of the University of Virginia, the Center for International Law (CIL), National University of Singapore, the University of Bergen in Norway, and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC). State participation included representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Turkey and Iceland. Distinguished participants from the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea included the President Judge Vladimir Viadimirovich Golitsyn (Russian Federation), Vice-President Judge Boulalem Bouguetaia (Algeria), and Judge Markiyan Kulyk (Ukraine).

The “Voice of the Global Subsea Cable Critical Infrastructure” resonates in Hamburg at the 2016 ICPC Plenary

Monday, 02 May 2016

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom—The Case for Cables– Protecting and Enhancing the Global Environment with Power and Communications, was the central theme to the successful and well-attended International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) Plenary meeting which was held in Hamburg, Germany from 12-14 April. With 63 Member organisations in attendance and representing 29 countries, the 49th annual ICPC Plenary gathered together influential people from the undersea cable industry to convene and exchange ideas. The success of the 2016 ICPC Plenary is largely attributed to all its Members—from every sector of the industry—joining together, being heard, and cementing the ICPC in its status as the industry’s international “voice” for the protection of undersea telecommunication and power cables.

ICPC comments on submarine cable security around the world

Thursday, 18 February 2016

LYMINGTON, UK—Fibre optic submarine cable security is one key priority among cable owners, operators, and chartered vessels. The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) represents member companies that own or operate about 98% of the world’s submarine cable systems as well as the cable ship companies laying and maintaining cables.

ICPC participates at Ghana Cable Awareness Workshop

Monday, 21 December 2015

LYMINGTON, UK—On 26 November 2015 in Accra, Ghana, a pioneering Submarine Cable Awareness Workshop was held to bring together cross-sectoral national and international organisations with an interest in the seabed in Ghana’s national waters and Exclusive Economic Zone, with particular reference to pipelines and submarine cables. These cables are of vital social and economic importance internationally, as they underpin the Internet and over 98% of trans-oceanic communications and data transfer.

Inaugural workshop held in Indonesia with the ICPC and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs

Friday, 04 December 2015

LYMINGTON, UK—On 18 November 2015 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, a pioneering joint workshop was held by the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) regarding submarine telecommunication cables in Indonesia. These cables are of vital social and economic importance as they underpin the Internet and over 98% of trans-oceanic communications and data transfer. Submarine cables are also a key component of Indonesia’s critical infrastructure as submarine cables provide the ideal means to connect the nation’s thousands of inhabited islands.

The Royal Society of New Zealand awards Hutton Medal to ICPC’s Marine Environmental Advisor

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

LYMINGTON, UK—Every year the Hutton Medal—an Earth, plant and animal sciences award—is granted by The Royal Society of New Zealand for outstanding work by a researcher and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) is pleased to announce Prof. Lionel Carter has received this prestigious honour.

Sharks are not the Nemesis of the Internet—ICPC Findings

Thursday, 02 July 2015

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom—Last August 2014, a rediscovered YouTube video of a shark biting a subsea cable caused a media storm. According to some commentators, the video signified that worldwide telecommunications were under attack by sharks because submarine fibre-optic cables are the backbone of the global Internet. The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) has reviewed records of cable faults worldwide, and together with an assessment of the video, conclude that much of the media hype was incorrect. Essentially, sharks and other fish were responsible for less than 1% of all cable faults up to 2006. Since then, no such cable faults have been recorded.

The “voice of the undersea community” resonates in Hong Kong at the 2015 ICPC Plenary

Wednesday, 03 June 2015

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom—Enhancing Submarine Cable Security and Co-operation in Balance with the Environment, was the central theme to the successful and well-attended International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) Plenary meeting which was held recently in Telegraph Bay, Hong Kong SAR.

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom—In their inaugural workshop, the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) held a joint seminar: “Submarine Cables and Deep Seabed Mining—Advancing Common Interest and Addressing UNCLOS ‘Due Regard’ Obligations” from 10-11 March 2015 in the New York offices of Douglas Burnett, ICPC’s International Cable Legal Advisor.

2015 ICPC Plenary Supported by Key Industry Players

Monday, 13 April 2015

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom—The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) will be holding its 2015 Plenary over 28-30, April 2015 at Le Méridien Cyberport in Telegraph Bay, Hong Kong. With the central theme, Enhancing Submarine Cable Security and Co-operation in Balance with the Environment, the Plenary will provide a valuable meeting point for all sectors of the submarine cable industry to gather and exchange ideas in a region steeped in submarine cable history and rooted in 21st century technological development.

ICPC and SubOptic sign MoU to formalise mutual co-operation

Monday, 13 April 2015

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom—The two premier global organisations representing the submarine cable communication industry—the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) and SubOptic—have formally signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalise their relationship and will be seeking to further co-ordinate their activities to the benefit of the submarine cable networks community as a whole.

Submarine Cables in the Sargasso Sea: Final Workshop Report Published

Tuesday, 20 January 2015

The final workshop report, "Submarine Cables in the Sargasso Sea: Legal and Environmental Issues in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction," has been released by the co-sponsors: Sargasso Sea Commission, Centre for International Law of the National University of Singapore (CIL), George Washington University Law School, and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC). This report is the first ever multidisciplinary effort by scientists, the submarine cable industry, and government experts from Bermuda, the United Kingdom and the United States to study and report on environmental impacts of modern submarine fibre-optic telecommunications cables in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) and the high seas. This unique work was compiled from presentations, papers, and discussions at the workshop which was held on 23 October 2014 at George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. The 49 page report highlights the value of collaborative work by 40 experts and participants working together in a candid exchange of data and views concerning the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the ABNJ/high seas environment. A copy of the Full Report can be downloaded below.

The Last Monument to Britain’s Submarine Cable Industry

Tuesday, 23 December 2014

Enderby House and Enderby Wharf was the Greenwich, UK base of the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company, who built most of the world’s early submarine cables and is the oldest continuously operating telecommunications factory in the world. In 1864 the factory manufactured the first successful trans-Atlantic telegraph cable. From then until 1975, the factory continued to make submarine telecommunications cable. The Enderby Group seeks to preserve Enderby House and the riverside cable handling gear as a museum dedicated to our industry. This article about the Enderby House project appears in the Newcomen Society Newsletter called "Links".

A Report from the 2nd Cable Protection and Awareness Workshop, West Africa

Monday, 08 December 2014

For the 2014 event, 2nd Cable Protection and Awareness Workshop held in both Nigeria and Ghana, ICPC Member and operator Main One Cable Company led a week-long event in October informing local communities regarding the importance of undersea cables, specifically: identifying a cable’s location to avoid damage and ensure long-term protection.

Submarine Cables in the Sargasso Sea

Tuesday, 25 November 2014

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom - On 23rd October 2014, the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), together with the Centre for International Law of the National University of Singapore, George Washington University Law School and the Sargasso Sea Commission, co-sponsored a workshop titled Submarine Cables in the Sargasso Sea – Legal and Environmental Issues Beyond National Jurisdiction at George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C.

2015 ICPC Plenary Meeting

The next Plenary will be held in Hong Kong, 28-30 April 2015 in Le Meridien Cyberport in Telegraph Bay.

Science paper published

Thursday, 18 September 2014

New science paper on cable faults in the Strait of Luzon published in the US peer reviewed journal 'Oceanography'. Natural Hazards Page

Shark bites and cable faults

Thursday, 18 September 2014

A YouTube video (August 2014) of a shark biting a submarine cable attracted considerable media attention. The type of the featured cable, its depth and location are unknown. But on the basis of available data, the International Cable Protection Committee notes that cable damage from such attacks is historically rare.

2014 ICPC Plenary Meeting in Dubai: 18-20 March - A Huge Success

Thursday, 03 April 2014

Against a backdrop of rapidly changing natural and socio-economic environments, the International Cable Protection Committee held its 47th Plenary to discuss actual and potential impacts of such changes on submarine communication and power cable systems. Hosted in Dubai by E-marine, a major submarine cable solutions provider in the Middle East, the Plenary provided a forum for 120 delegates from 32 nations. 64 ICPC Members were represented by 99 of these delegates and their feedback indicates that this Plenary was a huge success.

The theme of the meeting - Managing Critical Infrastructure in a Changing Natural & Socio-Economic Environment - attracted experts from the cable industry, governments, legal profession and research organisations.

Australia's Amendments to its Pioneering Cable Protection Legislation Recognise the Value of Government Partnership with the ICPC for Protecting Critical Submarine Cable Infrastructure.

Monday, 18 November 2013

Australia's Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull's speech before the Australian Parliament on 14 November 2013 acknowledges the smooth partnership enjoyed by the Australian government and the ICPC in promoting sound, practical and effective government policies that are designed to enhance the protection of submarine cables.

Enhancing Submarine Cable Security

Thursday, 14 October 2010

In October 2010, the ICPC announced that it has changed its rules to allow National Governments and companies that are key players in the submarine cable industry to be represented within its membership. The ICPC's objective in making this change is to foster improved cooperation between Government and Industry, which is deemed essential to enhance the security of submarine cables.